Infrared multiphoton dissociation of DN3 and HN3: formation and reaction of electronically excited ND

Chemiluminescence is observed from DN3 at pressures below 100 mtorr following irradiation with the focused output of a CO2 TEA laser. Emission is attributed to ND2(2A1) formed in the reaction ND(a1Δ)+DN3→ND2(2A1)+N3. The ND(a1Δ) is produced in the primary photolysis. Time resolved studies of the fluorescence permit determination of the rate constant for the chemiluminescent reaction (2.09+-0.31 μs-1torr-1). Multiphoton dissociation of HN3 by use of a laser wavelength coincident with a hot band absorption is also demonstrated. (Auth.)